Adonis plunged deeper into the Forest of Whispers. The oppressive silence pressed on him, broken only by the crunch of dead leaves under his boots and the unsettling chirping of unseen insects. He moved with a practiced grace, his senses on high alert. Years of experience in hunting had honed his ability to track even the faintest sign of movement, and here in the eerie heart of the forest, those skills were more crucial than ever.
Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught his eye – a glimpse of green hide disappearing behind a particularly gnarled oak. A grin split Adonis's face.
''Got you!"
Goblins. Two of them, judging by the size and shape of the shadows.
These weren't the most formidable opponents, but underestimating goblins was a mistake many adventurers had paid dearly for. Their cunning and ruthlessness were legendary, and their small size made them difficult targets in the dense undergrowth.
Adonis, however, wouldn't be making that mistake. Drawing upon his reservoir of magical energy, he focused his will. The air, already heavy with the humidity of the forest, began to respond. Tiny droplets of moisture coalesced around him, swirling and condensing, forming a shimmering mass above his outstretched hand.
With a flick of his wrist, Adonis unleashed his spell – Rain of Ice Spears. The gathered humidity solidified, morphing into a massive shard of translucent ice. But this wasn't the final form. With another sharp mental command, the shard split, fracturing into a dozen smaller, razor-sharp ice spears.
A low whistle escaped his lips as the deadly rain arced through the air, propelled by his magic. The forest floor erupted in a flurry of activity as the goblins, startled by the sudden magical attack, scrambled for cover. But it was too late. The ice spears, propelled with deadly accuracy, rained down, piercing through the thin hides of the goblins with a sickening crunch. They crumpled to the forest floor, frozen solid in a tableau of surprise and pain.
Adonis who liked efficiency, moved silently towards the fallen creatures, retrieving the glistening green magic stones nestled within their chests. These were his spoils, his proof of overcoming the first challenge. He glanced back at the scene, a flicker of sadness crossing his features. Even goblins, despite their cruelty, were living creatures. But survival in this world often came at a brutal cost.
''18 more to go.''
With a sigh, Adonis pocketed the stones and pressed on deeper into the forest.
A few minutes later. Adonis crept forward, the oppressive silence broken only by the rhythmic gurgle of a nearby stream. Through a gap in the dense foliage, he spotted his quarry – a band of nine goblins clustered around a small, still lake. Six of them splashed playfully in the shallows, their guttural laughter echoing eerily through the forest. The remaining three, armed with crude clubs and wicked grins, kept watch on the shore.
Adonis formulated his plan in a heartbeat. A frontal assault against nine goblins, even with his magical abilities, was foolhardy. He needed to thin the herd and create an element of surprise. A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes.
Raising a hand, he focused his mana once more. Humidity, ever-present in the forest, swirled around him, condensing into a single, massive shard of ice. With a flick of his wrist, the shard shattered mid-air, transforming into a deadly hail of Rain of Ice Spears.
''Graaa!"
''Guru!"
A guttural shriek pierced the air as one unsuspecting goblin in the water was struck square in the chest by a shard, freezing him instantly. Panic erupted as the remaining goblins scattered, their laughter replaced by startled yelps.
Seizing the opportunity, Adonis drew his trusty sword, its polished surface gleaming faintly in the dim light filtering through the canopy. With a burst of speed honed by years of training, he charged towards the goblins on the shore. Their surprise was his advantage.
One goblin barely had time to raise its club in defense before Adonis sliced through it with a satisfying clang. The goblin crumpled to the ground, clutching its severed arm.
''Guuuh!"
Another lunged at him, but Adonis sidestepped the attack, his blade flashing in a deadly arc that found its mark. The remaining goblin, paralyzed by fear, offered no resistance as Adonis's sword found its mark.
Three down, six to go. Adonis didn't hesitate.
Swoosh!
He sprinted towards the lake, the chilling water lapping at his boots as he plunged in. The remaining goblins, momentarily stunned, roared in fury and charged after him.
But Adonis was already preparing his next move. Focusing his mana once more, he channeled it into the water around the surprised goblins. A deep blue glow emanated from his outstretched hand, and the water began to solidify at an alarming rate. Ice crystals bloomed around the goblins' legs, encasing them in a rapidly growing prison of ice.
Chi~ Chi~
They thrashed and howled in frustration, their panicking cries muffled by the thickening ice. Within moments, they were encased in solid ice, grotesque statues frozen in a silent scream.
''Huff! Huff!"
Adonis, chest heaving from exertion, surveyed the scene. The once idyllic lake was now a chilling tableau of frozen goblins. He waded back to the shore, the frigid water a stark contrast to the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
With practiced ease, he retrieved the green magic stones from the slain goblins, a grim reward for his victory. The forest, once again, fell silent, broken only by the dripping of melting ice and Adonis's ragged breaths. He had prevailed, his skills and magic proving their worth. But he knew this was just the beginning. He still had 9 goblins left to kill in order to complete his rank-up test.